Fire marshals investigating series of Cambridge arsons

Fifth blaze since late March set early Friday morning

The state fire marshal's office is asking the public for help investigating a series of arsons at vacant homes within a half-mile of each other in Cambridge.

A fifth blaze broke out early Friday after a spate in March and April.

Thirty firefighters, including crews from four neighboring towns on the Eastern Shore, fought the fire at a home under renovation in the 400 block of High Street starting about 12:35 a.m. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set on the second floor of the home and caused $25,000 in damage.

The incident is stoking concern that a pattern of arsons has resumed, state fire marshals said in a release asking the public for any information on the fires. State fire investigators and Cambridge police have no suspects and few leads, said Oliver J. Alkire, senior deputy state fire marshal.

"We're desperately seeking the public's help on this," Alkire said. "They need to step up and contact us so we can get in there and make some headway."

Four confirmed arsons occurred in Cambridge within three weeks in late March and early April:

• March 20 in the 600 block of High Street, causing $90,000 in damage;

• March 26 in the 600 block of Cross Street, causing $15,000 in damage;

• March 26 in the 500 block of Cedar Street, causing $20,000 in damage; and,

• April 5 in the 800 block of Fairmount Avenue, causing $95,000 in damage.